Pentagon Deems Commissary Operations Necessary, Calls Back Workers

The federal government shutdown will probably not be a windfall for supermarkets and drugstores outside military base gates.

The Pentagon called many of its civilians back to work Oct. 7, and that call included the people who run the commissaries — the on-base grocery stores.

The Defense Department deemed commissary operations necessary to support service members and their families. Stores began operating under normal schedules Oct. 7.

The CEO of the Virginia-based Defense Commissary Agency, Joseph Jeu, asked patrons to be patient as product delivery schedules got back to normal. Navy Times reported it may take three to five days for the stores to restock.